Advancing a State of Creativity

ArtPride is the voice of New Jersey’s arts community. As the state’s largest arts service and advocacy organization, we work to preserve funding and advance policies that invest in the arts across all sectors. The vital research we furnish promotes the public value of the arts as fundamental to creating neighborhoods where people want to live, work, visit, and raise a family. Our award-winning audience development programs connect the public to what’s going on in our state’s arts scene and help increase attendance. The services we provide keep the field up-to-date on industry trends and foster collaboration among our hundreds of member organizations. 

Widely viewed as the go-to source for research, innovative programs and services, and high-impact advocacy, we are proud to support the work of our vibrant creative community. 

 

Voices from the Field

Spotlighting the Heart of Jersey City: Olga Levina
Emanating passion, it is hard to ignore the exuberance of the Jersey City Theater Center matriarch, Olga Levina. I had the pleasure of speaking with her for just under an hour and in that time,...
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Moorestown Celebrates Juneteenth with Community
The United States recognizes eleven federal holidays, the most recent of which is Juneteenth. The name is a contraction of “June Nineteenth,” commemorating the milestone juncture in which...
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Teaching Artist Certificate Now Available Through NJPAC and Rutgers University-Newark Collaboration
As we exit the all-too-short Teacher Appreciation Week, it is only fitting that we continue to honor educators by highlighting the work of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Arts Education...
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On the Hill: NJ Arts Advocacy Day
Once every year, New Jersey arts advocates collectively descend upon Washington D.C, barring those dark times of the pandemic that so many of us try to forget, in order to educate their...
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Speranza Brings Hope to Jersey City
“Speranza” means “hope” and whether or not you were prepared for an Italian lesson today, you’ve gotten one! The Italian word was adopted as the name and calling card for Speranza Theatre...
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Action Alerts

Support Federal Arts Education Funding for National Arts in Education Week
As we approach National Arts in Education Week, you can reach out to Members of Congress asking them to support adequate Arts Education funding at the federal level.  

In December 2015, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA) in a landslide vote. ESSA, the current iteration of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), includes art and music in the definition of a "well-rounded education." Within ESSA, there are several opportunities for the federal government to fund and support equitable access to Arts Education for K-12 students around the country. This includes well-rounded...
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Support the Arts Education for All Act
Encourage your member of Congress to support and cosponsor the Arts Education for All Act, introduced by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM). Representative Bonamici, the lead sponsor,  and top champion of arts in education and equitable access to these critical services

The Arts Education for All Act is the broadest arts education policy bill ever introduced in Congress and includes key provisions that will support and encourage the offering of arts education and programming experiences to Americans including our youngest learners, K-12 students, and young people impacted by the...
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Support the Live Theatre Tax Credit Bill (S3503)
The Live Theatre Tax Credit Bill (S3503) aims to augment New Jersey's arts and entertainment industry by incentivizing commercial live entertainment producers to choose our state as a destination for launching pre-Broadway productions and/or national tours, through mutually beneficial partnerships with New Jersey nonprofit theaters. With the recent film tax credit as a percent, the live theatre tax credit will be crucial for enhancing New Jersey's competitiveness with neighboring states, and has the potential to boost New Jersey’s economy by generating jobs, increasing local, regional, and out-of-state tourism, and ensuring that it remains a vibrant hub for live entertainment....
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Thank Gov. Murphy for protecting dedicated arts funding for NJ
Please take a moment to thank Governor Murphy and your district legislators for protecting dedicated funding for arts and culture in the FY25 New Jersey state budget. Please feel free to add your story of how important state funding is in your community and the arts and cultural organizations in your legislative district.

Remember that advocacy is all about building and cultivating relationships, and is something we can do all the time. Keeping your elected officials informed and engaged in your important work is critical to fostering the relationships that will support the sustainability of the arts long into the future. Stay in touch with your legislators: 


Invite them to...
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Support the Continued Post-Covid Recovery of the Arts Sector
The arts and cultural sector is a crucial industry that contributes significantly to our economy and the quality of life of the state’s residents. But it is still struggling to recover from the impacts of the pandemic. Organizations are still at risk of closing and vital community programs are in danger of being cut.

Please urge your elected officials to support the passage of S2016/A3584 to provide as much as $70M in American Rescue Plan funds for the continued recovery of the sector. In addition to helping organizations recoup lost revenue, the bill would also support the expansion and creation of arts education programs, as well as fund creative placemaking projects to beautify...
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